Apparatus, method and program for supporting conversation, and conversation supporting system

Abstract

A conversation supporting apparatus for supporting conversation among a plurality of participants in an occasion in which the participants participate, comprises personal information storing unit for storing personal information including at least one characteristic value representing a characteristic of a participant; person identifying unit for detecting presence of a participant, and identifying the detected participant; personal information retrieving unit for retrieving personal information on the participant identified by the person identifying unit from the personal information storing unit; characteristic value extracting unit for extracting a predetermined characteristic value from the personal information retrieved by the personal information retrieving unit; and characteristic value outputting unit for outputting the characteristic value extracted by the characteristic value extracting unit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a program for supporting conversation, and a conversation supporting system, and especially relates to an apparatus, a method and a program for supporting conversation, and a conversation supporting system capable of changing information to be provided according to situations of a person and a meeting place so as to support conversation.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]Recently, importance of an informal personal network referred to as community has been noted in corporate organizations and the like. The reason is that informal conversations other than conversations in formal meetings help to promote smooth progress in activities of the organizations.[0005]The informal conversation takes place in such places as the neighborhood of a personal desk, cafeteria, restaurant and hallway, and plays an important role for forming an informal network. The informal conversation ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an apparatus, method, program, and conversation supporting system for supporting conversation among multiple participants in an occasion. The system detects the presence of a participant, identifies the participant, retrieves personal information on the participant, extracts a predetermined characteristic value from the personal information, and outputs the characteristic value. This allows one to know a person who is unacquainted and select a person to talk with who fits a purpose. The system also limits the content and extent of personal information disclosed to prevent unintended leaks and promote conversation.

Problems solved by technology

For example, in a crowded store or train, even if a person whom one wants to talk with is present within the same space, it cannot be recognized that the person is close to him / her, and thus missing a chance of conversation with the person.

Also, in communication other than face-to-face communication, such as communication over telephone, one cannot tell situations of a called party; whether a called party can answer a phone call or whether the called party is currently on another phone, until one actually calls, or whether the called party is not near the phone by chance and will return soon, or is out and cannot answer the phone for a while, even after one makes a phone call and no one answers the call.

Therefore, conversation is difficult to take place unless one knows such situations of the other party.

Further, even though informal conversation started, if subject to talk is scarce, it is highly probable that the conversation does not continue, and ends up with as much as greeting.

However, although the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent publication (Kokai) H9-307868 described above provides such an effect that whether a person with whom one intends to talk is absent or not, and whether the person is available are informed, the configuration does not handle such a case as finding an available person among unacquainted people who is familiar with a subject which one wants hear about or to talk about, and therefore, it is insufficient for one to recognize a situation according to one's purpose.

Also, this configuration is insufficient for one to recognize a situation when one wants to determine whether to participate in conversation or not, or whether to join a session of the conversation.

Further, it is not a service intended for conversation, and does not directly lead to supporting the inspiration in conversation.

Therefore, the configuration is not suited for supporting informal conversation such as chatting which may take place anywhere.

The configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent publication (Kokai) H11-203295 only identifies and provides information relating to the same subject, and is not sufficient for providing different types of subject and information for expanding the inspiration in conversation.

The configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent publication (Kokai) 2001-195430 only saves the labor of comparing information among users, and is insufficient for a support to initiate conversation and to keep the conversation in progress.

As described above, the prior art is mostly insufficient for supporting informal conversation.

However, providing the awareness information may cause a violation of privacy depending on what is provided.

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